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Does high humidity affect golf ball distance?

Author

Mia Kelly

Published Jan 17, 2026

With more humidity, this is what the ball flies through. A golf ball goes a bit farther when it's humid. “Air that is hot or humid is actually lighter than air that is cold or dry or both,” according to Steve Aoyama, a scientist at Titleist, in a story published by the PGA's website.

Does a golf ball go farther in hot weather?

Now as for the golf ball itself, when its warmer, the rubber materials used to make the balls respond better. So, a warmer ball will come off the clubface with more velocity and spin than a colder ball. Plus, it will carry a bit farther because warm air is less dense.

Does a ball travel further in humid air?

Since the addition of humidity actually makes the air less dense, a ball will go farther on a humid day than it will on a dry day." The changes in air density related to humidity are not large: Compared to dry air at the same temperature and pressure, there's only about a 1 percent reduction in density for a humidity ...

Why do golf balls go further in summer?

When the air temperature increases in the summer, air density decreases. Less dense atmospheric conditions mean a golf ball will travel further in space. And if you think humidity will slow down ball speed then think again. Hot, humid Southern air decreases air density even more so you'll produce even longer shots.

Does weather affect golf ball distance?

According to Titleist research, a golfer will experience an approximately 1.5 percent drop in distance for every 20 degree drop in temperature. If you carry your driver 250 yards, that 1.5 percent drop equates to 3.75 yards.

36 related questions found

Does humidity affect a golf ball?

Humidity has a significant effect on golf ball distance, too. The higher the humidity, the longer the ball flies. You can feel humid air more, but water weighs less than the nitrogen and oxygen molecules that make up dry air.

How much distance do you lose with range balls?

Statistics have shown you may lose up to 10 yards of carry and total distance hitting range balls when using wedges or short irons, however results vary. Most testing has shown a negligible loss in distance when hitting range balls with driver, compared to regular balls.

Do golf balls lose distance with use?

Its results confirmed that in the absence of visible damage, repeated use had no effect on a ball's performance. However, it also found that even small scuffs led to a measurable loss in distance, reducing driver distance as much as 6 yards.

How does altitude affect golf ball distance?

The golf ball flies further in high altitudes mainly due to the change in air density, which decreases as elevation increases. Thinner air exerts less drag force on the ball. The ball moves more easily through the air and doesn't slow down as quickly as it flies, resulting in greater distance.

Are 20 year old golf balls still good?

The golf ball researchers at Titleist state, "Today's Titleist golf balls can be safely stored for five years or even more, as long as they are kept away from excessive heat. ... Normal indoor conditions should be fine for storage."

Does sea level affect golf ball distance?

First, figure that for about every 1,700 or 1,800 feet of elevation a ball will travel about 5 percent farther. That means that the ball will typically travel about 10 percent farther at this elevation than at sea level, give or take a few yards.

How do I keep my golf balls warm?

You can put the golf ball in a bag or a towel with a Hot Hands hand warmers to help ensure that it stays warm.

How does cold weather affect golf balls?

Does cold weather affect golf ball distance? Data shows that for every 10 degrees the temperature rises, a player will hit the ball an average just over one yard longer. Doesn't seem like much, right? But if you go from cold to warm temperatures, you can gain five or more yards based on the temperature alone.

Does rain slow down golf ball?

The golf ball will therefore not travel as far in the rain and even more so in cold wet weather. It is estimated steady rain causes a negative effect on 'carry' distance of around 3-5 yards. Are wet greens fast or slow? Rain makes greens slower than normal as the moisture on the ground and the ball slows it down.

How much does altitude affect carry distance?

Altitude, as you can see above, is the other big factor. With a driver, you get an extra 2.5 yards per 1,000 feet of altitude. But that's not all. The “optimal spin rate” with a driver, Rice explains, increases from 2,250 RPMs at sea level to about 3,000 RPMs at 10,000 feet.

When should you throw away a golf ball?

Now, see if your ball is going to float. Drop it in, and walk away for a minute or two. If the cover is intact, then there should be absolutely no leakage to the internal area of your golf ball. If it starts to sink or you see any air bubbles coming up at all, it's a sign that the cover has a microfracture.

How often does a pro golfer change balls?

Professional golfers will change golf balls every five to six holes. The modern golf ball technology can last for quite some time as the materials used to make these golf balls are more durable and resistant to cuts.

Are golf balls found in water still good?

When the golf ball eventually dries out, it is still not as effective as a golf ball that did not spend any time submerged in the water. The longer the ball stays in the water, the less it will fly. Now, you may be thinking you can live without a few extra yards as long as you save some money.

What happens when you hit too many golf balls?

Hitting more than 30 full shots will most likely tire you out, and for me, it almost always impacts performance. You could hit more balls if you want, but keep the majority of it to short chip shots and putts. Getting these two things dialed in is what's going to help you shoot the best round.

Why do driving range balls not go as far?

Too much spin can send the ball ballooning and lose distance, while spin too low can hurt carry distance and accuracy, sending the ball diving out of the air. As we saw with the driver, the range balls produced less speed and distance on iron shots, too.

What is the best golf ball for distance?

Best Distance Golf Balls

  • Srixon Distance Golf Ball. Our pick. ...
  • Callaway Warbird Golf Ball. Best for speed off the face. ...
  • Titleist Velocity 2022 Golf Ball. High launch. ...
  • Bridgestone e12 Contact Golf Ball. ...
  • TaylorMade Distance + Golf Ball. ...
  • Honma D1 Golf Ball. ...
  • Wilson Tour Velocity Tour Distance Golf Ball. ...
  • Pinnacle Rush Golf Ball.

How do I make my golf ball fly farther?

5 Quick Tips to Hit the Ball Farther

  1. Watch Your Grip. First, try adjusting your left hand (for righties) a bit inward so that your knuckles are facing your target. ...
  2. Move Your Hips. Get your hips involved! ...
  3. Shift Your Weight. Transferring your weight is also very important. ...
  4. Keep that Lead Arm Straight. ...
  5. Turn Your Hands Over.

What affects golf ball flight?

When you hit a golf ball there's various things that can affect the flight of the ball.

  • The speed of the ball.
  • The launch angle.
  • Azimuth.
  • Side spin on the ball.
  • Back spin.
  • total spin.
  • Spin-tilt axis.
  • Peak height.

How does wind affect golf ball distance?

A great rule to use is to add 1% for every 1mph of headwind. So the following distances would change like this: 100-yard shot into a 5mph wind = 105 yards. 200-yard shot into a 5mph wind = 210 yards.

Does freezing affect golf balls?

It is certainly not a good idea to hit a ball when it is at freezing temperatures, because this will not only cause damage to the ball but probably the club as well, never mind the potential damage to your body if you are not warmed up properly.